Ministry of Culture Schemes for Heritage Promotion and Conservation
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Economy
Why in news
The Ministry of Culture, in a Rajya Sabha reply, detailed various schemes for tangible and intangible cultural heritage conservation, including the new D.E.S.H. scheme announced in Budget 2026. The reply also provided fund utilization details for the Museum Grant Scheme across states including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Background
The Ministry of Culture administers several centrally sponsored schemes for heritage protection. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for centrally protected monuments. The new D.E.S.H. scheme was announced in Union Budget 2026.
Key facts
Ministry of Culture runs multiple schemes for tangible and intangible cultural heritage conservation across India, including in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for conservation of centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites.
D.E.S.H. (Excavation Site and Heritage Complex Development) scheme is a centrally sponsored sub-scheme announced in Budget 2026, targeting 15 selected tangible cultural heritage sites for promotion and sustainable development.
Museum Grant Scheme provides financial assistance for development, modernization, and digitization of museums at regional, state, and district levels.
Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Conservation Scheme supports identification, documentation, preservation, protection, and promotion of India's living heritage.
Cultural Function and Production Grant (CFPG) scheme provides financial assistance for organizing cultural events, performances, and production-based activities to promote regional, folk, and classical art forms.
Guru-Shishya Parampara Promotion Financial Assistance (Repertory Grant) scheme supports eminent gurus and their repertory groups for preservation and promotion of classical performing arts through guru-shishya tradition.
These schemes are implemented under the Art and Culture Promotion Scheme, a component of Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY).
Budgetary allocation is made under Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana and utilized for its various sub-schemes and components.
Information was provided by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
Prelims pointers
- D.E.S.H. scheme: Excavation Site and Heritage Complex Development, announced in Budget 2026, covers 15 sites.
- Museum Grant Scheme: for development, modernization, digitization of museums.
- ICH Conservation Scheme: for intangible cultural heritage.
- CFPG: Cultural Function and Production Grant.
- Guru-Shishya Parampara Promotion Financial Assistance (Repertory Grant).
- Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY): umbrella scheme.
- Art and Culture Promotion Scheme: component of KSVY.
- ASI: Archaeological Survey of India.
- Ministry of Culture.
- Rajya Sabha reply date: 23 July 2026.
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of the Ministry of Culture in preserving India's tangible and intangible heritage.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of schemes like D.E.S.H. and Museum Grant in promoting cultural heritage.
- Analyze the importance of intangible cultural heritage conservation in maintaining cultural diversity.